Connecter for batteries and similar devices



June 7, 1932. A. J. PARK 1,861,451

CONNECTEH FOR BATTERIES AND SIMILAR DEVICES Filed April 4, 1928 INVENTOR BY r 04%;

ATTOR N EYS Patented June 7, 1932 ALLAN J'. PARK, 0F LAKEWOOD, OHIO CONNECTER FOR BATTERIES AND SIMILAR DEVICES Application filed April 4, 1928. Serial No. 267,187.

This invention relates to a clamping device. More particularly it relates to a connecter for electrical devices.

It is customary to connect a storage battery post to an electrical conductor by means of a connecter which is detachable with respect to the post. It is desirable that a tight connection be made and maintained in order to properly conduct an electric current. It frequently becomes necessary in the use of storage batteries to disconnect the connecter from the storage battery post. Connecters customarily used are of such construction that they are disconnected from the post with diificulty.

It is an object of this invention to provide a connecter which can be quickly and tightly applied to the terminal post of a storage battery.

Another object is to provide a connecter adapted to embrace a post and having means whereby the connecter can be positively loosened from the post.

Other objects will be apparent from the specification and from the accompanying drawing, in whichlatter,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a storage battery showing the connecter applied thereto, the connecter having a clamping socket tapered continuously throughout its extent;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the connecter and post prior to tightening the connecter around the post;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the connecter taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 showing the connecter tightened upon the post;

Fig. l is a longitudinal section of the connecter taken along the line 4- of Fig. 3 but showing the clamping socket provided with oppositely disposed tapered portions;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the connecter showing the locking wedge partially inserted between the clamping jaws;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the locking wedge inserted between the clamping jaws and turned to spread the jaws;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a locking wedge;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified form of connecter;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of still another modification of the connecter;

Fig. 10 is a. perspective view of one of the. jaws shown in Fig. 9.

Referring particularly to the drawing, the device is illustrated as applied to the terminal post 1 of a storage battery 2. In its preferred embodiment the device comprises 5 a clamping socket 3 made preferably of spring metal and having the jaws 4 and 5 terminating in spaced relation to form a slot therebetween. The jaw l is rigidly aflixed to the body 6 which is provided with a recess 5 7 adapted to receive the end of the electrical conductor 8. A portion 9 of the body is positioned exteriorly of and in spaced relation to the jaw 5. The adjoining surfaces of the jaw 5 and portion 9 are each provided with a 79 laterally extending groove 10, which grooves are oppositely disposed and cooperate in a manner to be later described.

A locking wedge is provided having a head 11 and body portion 12, which latter is generally oval in cross section, forming a. cam member. The flattened sides of the body portion 12 are bevelled to form a wedge-shaped end.

Alternatively for the purpose of adapting 80 the device to fit posts of different sizes, a plurality of wedges can be provided of different sizes and having a common head.

In utilizing the device the clamping socket is caused to embrace the end of a terminal post. The body portion of the locking wedge is inserted into the slot between the jaw 5 and the body portion 9 as shown in Fig. 2 with its flattened faces opposite the grooves in the jaw and body portion. The locking wedge is then turned either manually or by means of a tool gripping the head 11 until the narrow faces of the wedge mesh into the grooves which are positioned in alignment with the direction of the forces of thrust transmitted through the wedge. This alignment of the grooves causes the wedge to be locked in position. The wedge forces the jaw 5 laterally with respect to the body portion 9 whereby the clamping socket tightly grips the post 1.

V The tapered clamping socket can be adjusted the wedge when turned will effect the proper the gripping action of the clamping socket upon the post. v

The device is disconnected from the battery ost by turning the locking wedge until attened sides thereof are adjacent the grooves whereupon the jaw 5 is free to return to its original position. The lockin wedge is removed and inserted into the slot etween the jaws 4 and 5 as shown in Fig. 5 and in this operation the wedge-shaped end of the wedge forces the jaws apart slightly. The locking wedge is then turned into the position illus trated in Fig. 6 thereby forcing the jaws' farther apart and insuring free removal of the clamping socket from the post.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8 the clamping socket is shown disposed at an an le to the body portion.

n the modification illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 the connecter comprises a body portion 14 having spaced arms 15 projecting therefrom and a jaw 16. The inner surface of the jaw 16 is arc-shaped in cross section and is adapted to cooperate with the correspondingly shaped surface of jaw 17 to grip a battery post. Jaw 17 is supported in position by shoulders 18 which rest upon the arms 15. The opposite surface of jaw 17 and the portion of body 14 between the arms 15 are recessed transversely. A wedge identical with that previously described is adapted to be positioned between the recesses and turned as previously described whereby the jaw 17 is forced toward the jaw 16 gripping the post. The recesses are positioned in alignment with the direction of the forces of thrust transmitted through the wedge. In order to withdraw the connecter from the post the wedge is turned to its original position loosening the jaw 17. The wedge in all of the modificaspaced jaws, a bod rigid with one of the aws, a portion of t e body being positioned opposite the outer surface of and in spaced relation to the other jaw, and means adapted to be inserted between and into en agement with said portion of the body and ast mentioned jaw to force the latter toward the other law whereby an article is clamped.

3. terminal connecter comprising a clamping socket having relatively movable spaced aws, a body rigid with one of the jaws, a portion of the body being positioned opposite the outer surface of and in spaced relation to the other jaw, and a rotatable wed e adapted to be inserted between said portion of the body and last mentioned jaw and turned to force the latter toward the other jaw whereby an article is clamped.

4. A terminal. connecter comprising a clamping socket having relatively movable spaced jaws, a body rigid with one of the jaws, a portion of the body being positioned opposite the outer surface of and in spaced relation to the other jaw, and means adapted to be inserted between and into engagement with the body portion and last mentioned jaw to force the latter toward the first mentioned jaw, said means being adapted also to be in serted between and into engagement with both of the jaws whereby the jaws are separated.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 29th day of March, 1928.

ALLAN J. PARK.

tions is manipulated from above with resultant facility in handling.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described it will be understood that modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and that it is not desired to limit the invention otherwise than is indicated by the scope of the accompanying claims.

I clalm 1. A terminal connecter comprising a' 

